Principal

chsears@henrico.k12.va.us

Mrs. Cherita H. Sears has proudly served in education for over 20 years. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in English Education from Old Dominion University, and a Master’s of Education from Liberty University. She began her educational career as an Instructional Assistant with Southeastern Cooperative Education Program (SECEP), working with students with Autism. After she received her teaching certification, she taught high school English for thirteen years in Richmond Public Schools and Chesterfield County Public Schools, later serving as Dean of Students in Chesterfield. In 2014, Mrs. Sears returned to Richmond Public Schools to serve as assistant principal and later principal in both middle and high school.  She is proud to currently serve as Principal of Varina High School in Henrico County.

Mrs. Sears has a proven track record in school improvement.  In her service as principal on both the high school and middle school levels, she created and implemented school improvement plans that moved the needle in student achievement, achieving double digit gains in Math and English SOL performance. Her ability to build strong and effective teams has been attributed to her professional successes. 

Mrs. Sears strives to create a community school that meets the needs for social, emotional, and academic development of all children – a school that is trauma informed, supporting families as well as students. She lives by the maxim that education is not just about academics, it is about touching the lives of children and nurturing them to become their best selves.

Associate Principal

Students: Supporting Grades 9 & 10
alondon@henrico.k12.va.us

Associate Principal Antoine London is a veteran educational leader who consistently demonstrates a continuing pursuit of the goal of creating positive and meaningful educational experiences for learning communities. For the past 16 years, Mr. London has consistently worked to improve school communities in the state of Virginia through an unwavering commitment to courageous educational leadership.

         For the past 10 years, Principal London has demonstrated his commitment to educational excellence by serving as an educational leader in both the Hampton Roads area as well as Central Virginia. Through dedication, empathy, and diligence Principal London has consistently been able to manifest positive educational experiences. Principal London’s expressed belief in educational leadership is the importance of creating safe, meaningful, and positive opportunities for learning communities.

         Principal London has been able to foster meaningful school improvement in each of his respective experiences. Most recently serving as a major factor in the improvement of Henderson Middle School as building Principal. Mr. London’s current efforts at the middle school level have yielded double-digit academic growth in the area of Science and Math for the 2022-2023 school year on state assessments for Henderson Middle School where he currently serves as building Principal.

         Originally from Richmond, Virginia, Mr. London completed his undergraduate and graduate studies in the Hampton Roads area attending Norfolk State University on a Marching Band Scholarship as a member of the Spartan Legion Marching Band. Principal London first began his educational career as a Business Career and Technical Education Educator, also serving as a school testing coordinator for Norfolk Public Schools. Mr. London served as an Assistant Principal for Suffolk Public Schools, before deciding to return home to Central Virginia to become Principal of Henderson Middle School where he began his middle school educational career as a Henderson student in the Northside of Richmond, Virginia.

         Mr. London is married, has two children, and lives in Richmond, Virginia. Principal London holds a bachelor's degree in Business and Information Technology Education from Norfolk State University, a Master’s Degree in K-12 Administration and Leadership from Regent University, and is currently completing his Doctoral Degree in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies at Virginia Tech University.

Assistant Principal

Students: Grade 11
raturpin@henrico.k12.va.us
A native of Richmond, I have been employed with Henrico County Public Schools for the past 17 years. I attended Hampton University where I majored in sociology. As a “career switcher,” I began my teaching career at Highland Springs High School in 2003 as an exceptional education teacher and later became a member of the administration team at Hermitage High School. In 2011, I earned a master’s degree in instructional leadership at Virginia Commonwealth University. In 2013 I joined the administration team at Varina High School, and I have thoroughly enjoyed working with our students and families in the Varina community.
Leadership Philosophy
My educational leadership philosophy centers on the belief that all students can learn and are provided opportunities to grow and develop as lifelong learners who take active roles in their own learning experiences. In my role as an instructional leader at our school, it is imperative to work with teachers and students in guiding the instructional program to provide relevant and impactful learning experiences that will better equip our students to be responsible, contributing members of our global society. Ensuring that our students are provided the opportunity to learn in a safe environment designed to promote critical thinking, respect for diversity, respect for self, intellectual interest, and participation in our community, is my top priority. Our primary goal as school community is to meet the needs of our diverse student population by preparing them with the tools necessary to be successful in society regardless of which post-secondary pathway they choose.

Assistant Principal

Students: Grade 12
afrobins@henrico.k12.va.us
Education:
I received my bachelor of science in biology education from Virginia Union University. My master of education was obtained from Virginia Commonwealth University. I received my educational leadership and policy endorsement from the University of Richmond.
Experience:
Before becoming an assistant principal at Varina High School, I was a science teacher at Highland Springs High School for 20 years. At HSHS, I served as an administrative aide, lead biology teacher, mentor and sponsor of several clubs and activities (Prom, YADAPP, SADD, and PRIDE).
Educational Leadership Philosophy:
My philosophy of educational leadership is based on the concept that all students have the ability to learn. Learning is a process that is constantly changing; teaching strategies that worked 20 years ago will not work with the modern day student. Being in education for the past 21 years, I have observed that students learn in different ways and at different speeds. Learning must be tailored to the different learning styles present in the classroom. Many students are visual learners, while others are hands-on learners. Some students may have a combination of several different learning styles. In addition to the different learning styles, some students have learning disabilities and/or have English as a second language. These students will also need personalized opportunities for learning. With all types of learners, all students learn best when they are actively engaged in the learning process. There is an old but wise saying, “it takes a village to raise a child.” In today’s educational system of accountability, it takes a village (which includes students, parents, teachers, administrators, community members and government officials) to ensure that all children can learn. As an assistant principal at Varina High School, my purpose is to be a part of the “village.” My moral purpose for leading is to ensure that all students have opportunities to learn in a safe environment from qualified and caring educators. Another part of my moral purpose as an instructional leader is to provide teachers with opportunities to improve their instruction. Whether this is through observations or professional development, I want to always provide my teachers opportunities for growth. In addition, as a leader I am committed to making sure the students and the teachers I serve feel valued and appreciated at Varina. Lastly as a leader at Varina High School, I will work with the leadership team to make sure every Varina student will become a responsible citizen that seeks employment, enlistment or enrollment after graduation.

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Associate Principal

Students: Supporting Grades 11 & 12
dtligthfoot@henrico.k12.va.us

Hello, my name is Dondre’ Lightfoot, and I am excited to be a part of the rich history and pride deeply rooted in Varina High School and the “Route 5” community. I hold a bachelor of science degree in mathematics from Chowan University and a master’s degree in educational leadership from Regent University. Before coming to Varina, I was a mathematics teacher at L. Douglas Wilder Middle School. While teaching, I’ve held roles as an administrative aide, New Teacher Academy coordinator, math curriculum writer, grade level chair, fundraiser chair and Summer Academy assistant coordinator. I am also honored to end my classroom journey as my school’s 2021-22 Teacher of the Year! My educational philosophy is that each student, and their unique learning style, deserves a safe learning environment to become positive contributors to society. I dedicate myself to ensuring our youth have a meaningful and equitable learning experience while empowering leaders!

Assistant Principal

Students: Grade 10

Administrative Intern

Students: Grade 9
snmlee@henrico.k12.va.us